BLACK BUTTERFLIES on Netflix is a thriller series from France (org. title Les papillons noirs). The plot includes both a strong love story and serial killers. The series has 6 episodes. Read our full Black Butterflies series review here!

Black Butterflies on Netflix is a new crime, thriller, and mystery series from France (org. title: Les papillons noirs). What begins as a love story, quickly turns into a story about two serial killers.

While the core story takes place in the present, we get the stories about the serial killer couple through flashbacks. The series has six episodes that are each about one hour long. It’s fascinating, engaging, and very binge-worthy.

Continue reading our Black Butterflies series review below. The French series premieres on Netflix on October 14, 2022.

A different kind of love story

The Netflix thriller series Black Butterflies is very much a love story. Not just about romantic love, but about love in all forms. Mostly though, it’s about the love story between a couple who becomes serial killers. To be honest, you can understand the first murder quite easily. It’s pure self-defense!

We get this story from an older man, who is living on his own and has no children. He wants his legacy to be his life story. A story that turns out to include quite a few murders. The man writing the book is Adrien Winckler. A 40-year-old struggling writer, who just cannot seem to get a handle on his second book.

That’s why he agrees to ghostwrite a memoir of a dying man. Finally, a story takes hold and he becomes completely engulfed in the life story of this man. All while also trying to figure out his own life and legacy.

Albert Desiderio appears to be a simple retired older man, so Adrien has no reason to expect the story that comes out of Albert’s mouth. However, during episode 1, it evolves from being an amazing love story that Albert shared with Solange in the 70s, to the confession of a serial killer couple.

Black Butterflies (2022) – Review | Netflix Series

Amazing casting

Since we meet Albert both in the present and the 1970s, casting two actors that look like they could be the same person, is key. Just as was the case in a series such as the German Netflix horror sci-fi movie Dark. Fortunately, the two actors are perfectly cast.

We get Niels Arestrup as the older Albert, telling the story to the ghostwriter Adrien, and Axel Granberger as the young serial killer version. You might recognize Niels Arestrup from By the Sea and Axel Granberger from the series Iskander.

The main protagonist, the writer Adrien Winckler, is portrayed by Nicolas Duvauchelle (Gone for Good), who gets quite a lot to work with and does a great job. Other key characters include two police detectives played by Marie Denarnaud (The 7 Lives of Léa) and Sami Bouajila (Earth and Blood).

Overall, the entire cast is very strong and helps make every part of the story work as intended.

Watch the Black Butterflies series on Netflix now!

The creators of Black Butterflies are Bruno Merle and Olivier Abbou. The two have worked on several TV series in the past, so they know how to build a story that you explore over a season.

I was intrigued by the plot of this Netflix series, but the strong storytelling was what got me hooked. If you like crime or thriller series, then this is perfect for you. And if you’re also intrigued by serial killers and the stories of how they become serial killers, then you’ll definitely want to watch this.

MORE SERIAL KILLER SERIES

Be sure to check out DAHMER by Ryan Murphy >

All six episodes are on Netflix now and you’ll probably have a hard time stopping, once you start watching.

Black Butterflies (org. title: Les papillons noirs) is out on Netflix from October 14, 2022.

Details

Creators: Bruno Merle, Olivier Abbou
Stars: Nicolas Duvauchelle, Niels Arestrup, Axel Granberger, Lola Créton, Brigitte Catillon, Marie Denarnaud

Plot

Adrien Winckler, 40 years old, is a struggling novelist who works as a ghostwriter to make ends meet. At the dusk of his life, Albert Desiderio, a humble retired man decides to hire Adrien to write his memoirs. But the amazing love story Albert shared with Solange during the 70’s turns out to be the confession of a serial killer couple. Between fascination and repulsion, Adrien must recognize that this story would make a damn good novel.

I write reviews and recaps on Heaven of Horror. And yes, it does happen that I find myself screaming, when watching a good horror movie. I love psychological horror, survival horror and kick-ass women. Also, I have a huge soft spot for a good horror-comedy. Oh yeah, and I absolutely HATE when animals are harmed in movies, so I will immediately think less of any movie, where animals are harmed for entertainment (even if the animals are just really good actors). Fortunately, horror doesn't use this nearly as much as comedy. And people assume horror lovers are the messed up ones. Go figure!
Karina "ScreamQueen" Adelgaard
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